The JOYS pilot program assists children living on the streets of Mtwara Region with medical care, informal counseling, and trust-building meals. The goal of JOYS is to re-integrate children living on the streets into their communities by reconnecting them with family and providing them the resources they need to complete their primary schooling.

Young people living on the streets in Tanzania can not attend school and instead must dedicate their days to finding food. They most commonly sleep in bus stands and at outdoor restaurants. The JOYS program focuses on children living on the streets in Mtwara region who are under 17 years old. Candidates are identified through direct outreach and are selected based on their willingness to return to school and to live again in a family setting.

After working with a child to identify a family member or other adult who is able provide a safe home, we facilitate the integration process there and at the local school, and purchase needed school supplies and clothing. JOYS children often go to live with relatives who are not immediate family and do not have large financial resources. For this reason, as long as the young person voluntarily remains in school, we will continue to provide school supplies and uniforms so that the child can live with relatives without worrying about placing additional financial stress on the family.

Special funding is currently being used for the pilot JOYS program. If you would like to get involved, please contact:
Katie Hunt-Morr: katie@jiamini.com

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